Line forms early ahead of Krispy Kreme opening

Published: Monday, July 22, 2013 at 06:42 PM.

The crowd gathered outside the new Krispy Kreme Monday night was as varied as the doughnut flavors the shop will serve come Tuesday morning.

Kids, families, musicians and even doctoral students cramming for finals arrived hours – even days – before the store’s grand opening, in hopes of scoring free doughnuts and prizes during Krispy Kreme’s Monday night camp out at its new 182 Huffman Mill Road location.

Joey Bell, 16, of Gibsonville, showed up at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, guaranteeing himself a dozen free Original Glazed doughnuts each week for a year. The next 99 people in line Tuesday will receive a dozen free doughnuts each month for a year, and all 100 of the early birds will win a Burlington-themed Krispy Kreme T-shirt.

Bell parked himself under the awning of the store’s side entrance, avoiding the rays of sun that forced other campers to haul out their tents, tarps and hand-held fans.

“Today’s been the hottest day,” he said.

Bell said, “The police woke me up,” at 8 a.m. Sunday, after they’d received a call about a homeless person sleeping at the new Krispy Kreme.

“They took my name in case they got more calls. Which they probably did,” he said. “It was kind of awkward.”

The crowd gathered outside the new Krispy Kreme Monday night was as varied as the doughnut flavors the shop will serve come Tuesday morning.

Kids, families, musicians and even doctoral students cramming for finals arrived hours – even days – before the store’s grand opening, in hopes of scoring free doughnuts and prizes during Krispy Kreme’s Monday night camp out at its new 182 Huffman Mill Road location.

Joey Bell, 16, of Gibsonville, showed up at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, guaranteeing himself a dozen free Original Glazed doughnuts each week for a year. The next 99 people in line Tuesday will receive a dozen free doughnuts each month for a year, and all 100 of the early birds will win a Burlington-themed Krispy Kreme T-shirt.

Bell parked himself under the awning of the store’s side entrance, avoiding the rays of sun that forced other campers to haul out their tents, tarps and hand-held fans.

“Today’s been the hottest day,” he said.

Bell said, “The police woke me up,” at 8 a.m. Sunday, after they’d received a call about a homeless person sleeping at the new Krispy Kreme.

“They took my name in case they got more calls. Which they probably did,” he said. “It was kind of awkward.”

Bell said he plans to eat some of his weekly doughnut fixes and “share the rest,” possibly with his brother, Michael, who’s visited Bell multiple times over the past few days. “He’s been bringing me food and water,” Bell said.

As for other daily necessities, Bell said he didn’t have anyone hold his spot in line when he visited the woods and as of Monday, the portable toilet that’s been installed near the parking lot. Bell said he has to trust the others in line not to cut, and the Krispy Kreme manager already knows Bell was first.

Luke Cook, 16, brought his keyboard to the urban campground early Monday morning, and said he has “been keeping Joey entertained.”

Nearby, a group of six young men from The Lambs Chapel in Haw River also brought their instruments, and played everything from the David Crowder Band’s “How He Loves,” to Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait,” to pass the time.

Brendon Camons, 17, and Billy Vos, 18, played guitar while Alex Vos, 20, Nick McCullock, 17, and Michael Miller, 19, sang in harmony, and DJ McCulley drummed out a rhythm on his chair-turned-drum. The music caught the attention of nearby campers, who gathered around the group to listen, and Cook joined in on his keyboard, while Nick Stargel, 17, chimed in with his ukulele.

“We’ve been jamming all night,” said Alex Vos. Later, he said, they planned to watch “The Lord of the Rings” on a laptop. They also planned to somehow fit all six of them into the one tent they’d brought.

Ashley Parr and Paige Copeland, both 23, had planned ahead a little better.

Parr and Copeland, students in Elon University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, got to the doughnut store at 2 p.m. Monday, and brought class notes to study with fellow classmate, Caroline Ondrey, 23, for a final they’ll take Tuesday.

“We have one every day this week,” said Ondrey.

But Parr said it’s important to live a little, hence the campout for free doughnuts.

“We’re roommates so we figure we’ll have two dozen a month to share,” said Copeland. Or not share, in the event classes become extra stressful.